Parking in Waterloo Region

[ookpik]

Lowest common denominator politics at its worst.

You should watch the marketplace news clip for the reasons why this cap is in place. There are some hospitals that seem to take advantage of sick families to maximize their income, including sadly SickKids in Toronto.

One size doesn't fit all. Some random issues with this scheme...

1. Hospitals like Sick Kids and Mt Sinai in downtown Toronto have to prevent commuters from using their lots for cheap parking. So they charge high rates commensurate with the area. Forcing them to issue half price passes is going to fill their lots with commuters' cars. (OTOH a hospital like St Mary's doesn't have this sort of pressure and shouldn't have to charge the $12/day they now charge.)  

2. Discounts for 5, 10 and 30 day passes are fine for people who visit relatives who are in the hospital for long periods. But it does nothing for someone who goes to the hospital for a test or is a day patient. Likewise a n-day pass for 50% off is no bargain to someone who visits every other day or less frequently.

3. Hospitals depend on family and friends who visit patients and providing care that their own staff would otherwise have to provide. Think of helping patients with feeding, water, bathroom, etc. Perhaps they should even pay those visitors for the money they save on staffing  Charging such visitors to park seems like an insult to injury.

4. Hospitals claim they use much of their parking revenue to fund legitimate hospital health care. If that's true then why doesn't the receipt designate that portion so it can be used as a valid charitable donation claim on income tax returns. Even $5/day can add up to a significant tax savings. Surely that would also reduce some of the negativity about high parking rates.

That said, I'm glad I'm not a hospital administrator who has to deal with all these conflicting issues.